08/09/2026
THE BUTTERFLIES ARE BACK
That familiar butterfly-in-the-tummy feeling is back, and I welcome it.
I remember those butterflies from the first Shamanic gatherings I attended all those years ago. In fact, I think they’ve been there before every event I’ve ever been part of.
Over the years, I’ve come to recognise the butterflies as part of the preparation. They tell me I’m moving towards something that matters, and my body and soul are getting ready for the work.
Shamanism and the medicine path are a constant part of my life, but it’s been a long time since I last went to this very special event – around 12 years, I think. This year marks its 20th anniversary, so Taz and I were there relatively early in its story, when it was held at the beautiful Gaunts House, near Wimborne in Dorset.
Today, the Gathering takes place at the Earth Spirit Centre near Glastonbury, another wonderful space set in the Somerset countryside, and soon we’ll be heading there to sit in circle again.
I have such powerful memories of those earlier gatherings and of meeting people from all walks of life, not only from the UK but from around the world, each bringing teachings and sharing their own wonderful medicine.
It feels incredibly special to be returning, particularly as I’ll have the privilege of leading workshops alongside teachers whose work I hugely respect.
There will be familiar faces too, including people I haven’t seen for many years. Others who were once part of those circles have since travelled to the next place, and we’ll be honouring them too as we remember what has gone before while also looking towards the future.
As then, we’ll come together in silence and prayer, dance and celebrate, laugh and cry, trusting in Spirit and remembering that unshed tears drown the heart.
Many of the experiences I had and the people I met at those earlier gatherings have helped shape the person I am today, for which I’m hugely grateful. They stay with me always.
This powerful, heart-led path and my spirit teachers and guides have held me through some of the most challenging moments in my life, and I’ll never lose sight of what that has meant to me.
These next few days mean so much, so I welcome the nervousness and what it can teach me.
We’ve already been given a reminder that, however much we might plan, we can’t control everything.
The recent hot, dry weather and wildfires mean we still don’t know whether the planned firewalk will be able to go ahead. We may not know until very close to the time.
One of the great teachings I’ve taken from walking the medicine path over the years is the importance of being present and fully in our bodies, trusting in Spirit and knowing that whatever happens is exactly what needs to happen in that moment. It may not be what we expected or planned for, but we trust that it is right and that there will be a way to work with whatever comes.
It’s the same when we sit in circle. We come with an open heart and mind, trusting our guides and Spirit and allowing ourselves the time and space to experience whatever our soul needs to heal and grow.
There is something beautifully sacred about being able to sit in circle and experience all of that together.
If conditions mean that Grandfather Fire cannot visit us through a physical fire this week, we’ll work with what we have, knowing He is always there, and we can tune into that energy and medicine without a physical flame in front of us.
Whatever the next few days bring, I’m looking forward to returning to the Gathering and everything that awaits us.
The butterflies are here, and I’m grateful for them. 🦋🦋🦋
Do you ever get that feeling in your body when you know you’re about to step into something that really matters to you?
Then and now: A pic of Taz Thornton and I at Gaunts House many years ago and another of us in more recent times.
